Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Rules Committee leader, Congresswoman Matsui, for yielding.

I am pleased to support the rule for the conference report for H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

The bill authorizes water resources projects and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy and programmatic changes that our Congress has failed to consider for far too long. Water resources legislation is most effective when it is considered every 2 years. I support this 2-year cycle as it provides stability to the program and assurance to the non- Federal sponsors who support Corps projects.

Unfortunately, no Water Resources bill has been enacted since year 2000, the entire term of the current administration.

The authorizations in the language are time sensitive, and there should be no surprise that this bill contains a substantial number of provisions. Many of these authorizations have been waiting for action more than 6 years.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule, as well as the underlying conference report, so that we may, once and for all, advance this vitally important legislation for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the conference report for H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

I congratulate Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Mr. Baker, for your work on reaching this agreement in the vital infrastructure investment bill for the Nation's water resources needs.

I especially express my appreciation to the staff, to Congressman Young,

Congressman Duncan, and Congressman Costello and other distinguished members of this committee, because we have all worked together in a bipartisan manner.

All of us assembled here this evening understand the magnitude of this moment. The clock is working against the infrastructure of our country. The 7 years we have waited to enact a water resources development bill have led to significant increases in cost to adequately address the Nation's deteriorating water resources and flood control infrastructure.

As such, I am delighted that we as conferees have come to an agreement on the issues independent of review, environmental issues, environmental infrastructure and individual projects that have, up until now, prevented us from crafting a final conference report.

We do right and good by this country when we invest in its infrastructure. I agree with the chairman that enactment of a water resources bill this year is critical to economic prosperity, job creation, protection of the environment and public safety.

Since Congress last passed a Water Resources Development Act, we have seen Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita devastate the gulf coast and my home State of Texas, flooding cities, damaging economies and businesses and threatening public health.

No water resources bill has been enacted since the year 2000, the entire term of this current administration. While I am fully aware of the veto threat that this administration has issued on the conference report, I want to remind my colleagues that since the start of the Iraq conflict in 2003, nearly $42 billion has been appropriated at the request of the administration for Iraqi reconstruction, one-third of which, or $14 billion, is going towards Iraqi economic infrastructure.

I would daresay that if this level of attention is adequate for Iraqi water and road infrastructure, my State, as well as my constituents, who are constantly beleaguered by outdated flood protection, are as equally deserving of the attention afforded by H.R. 1495. I deeply regret that the administration has decided to turn its back on a bill that would put Americans to work with good-paying jobs, protect lives and property and bolster our Nation's infrastructure.

A recent report by the Texas Section of Civil Engineers assessed my State's infrastructure and rendered a dismal cumulative grade of below average. The assessment of the State's flood control fared even worse, with the State receiving a failing grade of D minus.

Over the past decade, Texas has experienced 15 federally declared disasters, most involving flooding. Moreover, Texas leads the Nation in terms of dollars paid for flood claims, second only to the State of Louisiana.

The population of Texas is expected to double in the next 30 to 40 years. Development in and near flood plains can be expected to increase, as developers continue to build near the State's rivers, lakes and coastlines.

In my district, the Dallas Floodway accepts 1,600 square miles of Trinity River watershed runoff and safely moves the floodwaters through the City of Dallas by virtue of levees that form both sides of the 2,000-foot-wide Floodway. The Floodway levees protect the downtown vicinity from a potential flood damage loss to properties and infrastructure at a price of $8 billion or more. This is a major economic area.

The 23 miles of levees for the Dallas Floodway were originally constructed by local interests in 1932 and reconstructed by the Corps in 1960. But, since 1960, the upstream watershed has experienced exploding population growth, and that was not expected, which has significantly increased runoff, overwhelmed our antiquated drainage pumps, and greatly reduced the flood protection afforded by the Dallas Floodway levees.

My district's flood control needs are great; and, like the other communities across this Nation, they are anxiously anticipating the resumption of a predictable, consistent, and 2-year water plan.

I am glad our work here today brings us one step closer to this reality. The product before us authorizes a number of studies and projects, particularly for the restoration of coastal Louisiana, the restoration of Florida Everglades and the restoration of the upper Mississippi River and the Illinois Waterway System.

Again, we do right by this country when we invest in its infrastructure. Communities across the country have been waiting 7 long years to begin their noteworthy flood control and water infrastructure projects. I am pleased that we have been able to put our heads together and once and for all advance this vitally important and long-overdue legislation for the American people.

I want to extend my thanks again to the bipartisan committee leadership of both Chambers and, most especially, the efforts of our dedicated staff persons who have spent countless hours in crafting the conference report.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this conference report to H.R. 1495. The time to act is now.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to

submit into the Record a letter from E.G. Pittman, Chairman of the Texas Water Development Board, strongly supporting the passage of this conference report.

The State of Texas has recently completed a nationally recognized comprehensive water plan. Provisions in H.R. 1495 would greatly assist the State in addressing changes in the population, water availability and quality, technological improvements, and promotes increased collaboration with the Corps of Engineers.

Texas Water Development Board,

Austin, TX, August 1, 2007.

Hon. Nancy Pelosi,

Speaker, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Hon. James L. Oberstar,

Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure, Washington, DC.

Hon. John A. Boehner,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Hon. John L. Mica,

Ranking Member, House Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure, Washington, DC.

Dear House Leaders: The Texas Water Development Board

(TWDB) strongly supports the passage of H.R. 1495 by the end

of this week. The conference report on the Water Resources

Development Act (WRDA) embodies seven years of deliberations

on this important and urgent issue. Further delays are

incomprehensible after such protracted discussions have

finally resulted in a bill that is a crucial step towards

addressing the nation's water resources needs, which have

accumulated since the last WRDA was enacted.

The Nation can no longer wait for passage of this important

piece of legislation. We are faced with numerous water

resources challenges that over time have increased and

continue to increase in cost and urgency. We cannot afford to

neglect this flood of needs because they will only grow and

not dissipate.

WRDA's time is now. I appreciate your leadership in

acknowledging the importance of H.R. 1495, and I look forward

to a successful House vote on the bill this week. If you or

your staffs would like to further discuss this issue, please

do not hesitate to contact me, or Dave Mitamura of my staff.

Respectfully,

E. G. Rod Pittman,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Shirley Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007. I would like to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee and her continued commitment to the Caribbean and education. This legislation helps bridge the educational gap in the Caribbean by creating an educational exchange program for Caribbean students to study in the United States.

Caribbean Nations suffer from high poverty rates, high unemployment rates, and low literacy rates. These conditions have left most Caribbean students faced with the hard choice of education or work; and most are forced to choose work in order to provide for themselves and their families. Educational exchange programs allow Caribbean students to provide opportunities to learn necessary skills for leadership and career success, explore cultural issues, and promotes dialogue of community and/or social relevance. Education is the building block that creates a sound foundation for success and develops strong democratic values. These exchange programs allow students to return to their native homes to contribute to the success of their nation.

This bill also creates new programs to improve primary and secondary education through teacher training. Teacher preparedness and education management is vital to any education system. Providing high quality teachers in critical subject areas is the most important components in building a strong educational structure.

Many Caribbean leaders have received education in the United States, and have used their education to strengthen Caribbean democracy and community involvement. This legislation will help to continue strengthen U.S.-Caribbean relations, I strongly urge my colleagues support in passage this bill.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to express my strong, support for H.R. 735, a bill designating the U.S. Mission to the United Nations for my good friend and former Secretary of Commerce, the late Ronald Herman Brown.

Ron Brown's legacy is one that will forever be synonymous with the term trailblazer. Ron Brown was the first African American to achieve partner at Patton, Boggs, and Blow in 1981.

In 1989, he became the first African-American to head the Democratic National Committee, marking the first time in U.S. history, a African- American had ever lead a major political party.

History was made again in 1993, when President William Jefferson Clinton nominated, and the Senate confirmed, Ron Brown as the first African-American to serve as Secretary of Commerce.

As alluded to previously, Ron Brown was an astute, bright, and compassionate individual. He was a brilliant lawyer, an effective Secretary of Commerce, but most importantly he was a devoted family man to his wife Alma and their two children, Michael and Tracy.

Sadly, death cheated them and this country at a most unexpected hour; however, we all can take great pride in knowing that Ron Brown's legacy shall endure.

In closing Madam Speaker, I would like to commend Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman, Mr. Oberstar, Subcommittee Chairwoman, Ms. Norton, and my dear friend Representative Rangel for their collective leadership in advancing this long overdue piece of legislation.

This fine measure is a fitting tribute to one of this country's greatest public servants.

Madam Chairman, I thank you for consideration of my amendment to H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007.

My amendment focuses on Title VII, which is the Research Title of the legislation.

Specifically, the amendment adds a section to the end of ``Subtitle B,'' which contains provisions pertaining to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977.

The 1977 Act contains Section 1424, authorizing the ``Human Nutrition Intervention and Health Promotion Research Program.''

This is the nutrition research arm of the Department of Agriculture. The program authorizes the Agriculture Secretary to award research grants for human nutrition intervention and health promotion.

The 1977 Act describes the ``Emphasis of the Initiative.'' It goes on to say that research projects should emphasize:

Coordinated, longitudinal research assessments of nutritional status; and

``The implementation of unified, innovative intervention strategies to identify and solve problems of nutritional inadequacy and contribute to the maintenance of health, well-being, performance, and productivity of individuals, thereby reducing the need of the individuals to use the health care system and social programs of the United States.''

Madam Chairman, my amendment would add one additional point regarding the emphasis of the nutrition research initiative.

Emphasis should also be placed on research proposals that examine the efficacy of current agriculture policies in promoting the health and welfare of economically disadvantaged populations.

The working poor suffer disproportionately from obesity and its related disorders: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, and others.

Nutrition research should include matters relating to public health. My amendment specifies that the scope of human nutrition research include grant proposals that study the effectiveness of current agriculture policies in promoting the health of individuals living in poverty.

These groups stand to benefit the most from nutrition research.

Taxpayer dollars should be invested wisely, Madam Chairman. An investment in analyzing how well the Federal Government's agriculture policies enable Americans to live healthy lives and make good nutrition choices is money well spent.

This amendment directs a sharper focus on nutrition research to help the economically disadvantaged.

I thank the Chairman for his acceptance of my amendment and urge my colleagues to support it also.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008.

My amendment is focused on the education activities at NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Specifically, the amendment designates $70.7 million of NASA's $220.3 million for education appropriations for the minority workforce preparation.

This program has been in action before. It was a good program, but because of the cuts that NASA did suffer, it was defunded actually, as they rearranged the funding. I thank the committee for the increase that they did make and commend their recognition of the importance of education funding for NASA.

All of us know that this is the focus of education, now, trying to make sure we have workforce available so that we can maintain the competitive edge.

NASA had proposed to spend about $40 million, or 27 percent, of its education budget on minority university research and education programs, commonly called the Hispanic-Serving Institutions, as well as the Historically Black Institutions.

So the program includes Partnership Awards for Integration of Research, the Space Science Collaboration, the Math Science Teacher and Curriculum Enhancement Program, the Undergraduate Scholars program, Network

Resource and Training Sites, Model Institutes for Excellence and the Earth Science Collaborations program.

I think that since only 2 percent of our Nation's engineers are African American and Hispanic, we really do need to encourage them to be in this part of the workforce. It's critically important to support these Federal programs.

I urge adoption, although I would like to have a colloquy with the chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.

Offered By: Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

Amendment No. 40: Page 59, line 21, insert ``, of which not

less than $70,700,000 shall be for the Minority University

Research and Education Programs,'' after the dollar amount.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 187, which expresses the sense of Congress regarding the dumping of industrial waste into the Great Lakes. My colleague Rahm Emanuel has introduced this resolution, as has my colleague from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr. Ehlers of Michigan. The resolution has 18 cosponsors from across the Great Lakes region.

It is my understanding that a recent decision by Indiana state regulators will allow the British Petroleum company to dump more ammonia and suspended solids daily into Lake Michigan. Although I do agree that our country needs to work on finding additional materials and sources for energy, and we do need to create jobs to help our economy, I do not believe British Petroleum's plan takes our nation in the right direction. As a society, we need to protect our already endangered waters, for they provide means to run our businesses, fulfill daily chores, and relax.

Improving the state of the Great Lakes is not an antiquated policy goal from the last century; rather, we still fight today to improve these waters. The House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, which I chair, continues to pursue the problems of invasive species, low water levels, and pollutants entering the Lakes on a regular basis. We do not need to add additional waste to our struggling, yet essential, waters.

I urge my colleagues to join with me and vote in favor of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I pay tribute today to Deion Sanders, former Dallas Cowboys football player. His many years of community service and dedication in making a difference in the lives of people are truly deserving of our appreciation and praise.

Deion Sanders, a former cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, decided to graciously open up his home and heart to nine disadvantaged children in order to teach them responsibility and life skills.

Mr. Sanders is truly devoted to enhancing the lives of young people and he has decided to have 14 children, including his own 5 kids, live at his home for the summer. There are five adolescent boys and four girls. Most of the children come from families with no father in the home. Mr. Sanders is giving these children a fulfilling and productive summer. The children eat, pray, do chores and go on field trips together.

He believes that the true key to helping children is by teaching them responsibility. Along with opening up his home this summer, Deion Sanders is creating a biblically based mentoring program called Primetime Army. This program will give parents and their sons access to Sanders and his team of professionals on a 24-7 basis for a monthly fee.

Mr. Sanders wants to encourage children to dream big because anything can be possible. All children deserve a chance at success and Deion Sanders is helping to give them that chance.

I know that Deion will continue to play an important role in our community for decades to come, and that America will continue to benefit from his dedication, service and hard work.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in saluting Deion Sanders and in applauding this remarkable citizen for all he has done in north Texas, to those of us whose lives he has touched.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank these two distinguished gentlemen on the floor, Mr. Davis of Illinois and Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, for helping us with this today.

I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Lady Bird Johnson. I would like to thank my colleagues Mr. Hall, Mr. Barton and Mr. Ortiz for their sponsorship, and the entire Texas delegation for joining me in sponsoring and honoring Mrs. Johnson.

Mrs. Johnson was known as a woman of class and integrity. She was strong in spirit and always represented herself with dignity and grace.

For decades Lady Bird Johnson served with honor and dedication as the wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, throughout his service as a staffer to Representative Kleberg, as he served in the U.S. House of Representatives, as a U.S. Senator, as Vice President, and as President of the United States. She served as President Johnson's personal adviser throughout his career and was known for expanding the position of the First Lady by taking a visible role in President Johnson's administration.

Lady Bird Johnson dedicated much of her life to the preservation of our environment. Perhaps she could be considered the first environmentalist in this era. This passion led her to create the Capital Beautification Project to improve physical conditions in Washington, DC, both for residents and tourists. Her efforts inspired similar programs throughout the country. She also played a major role in the passage of the 1965 Highway Beautification Act. This was the first legislative campaign begun by a First Lady. The trees and flowers we see along our American highways today are a testament to her work and her dedication.

After leaving Washington, President and Mrs. Johnson moved back to Austin, Texas, where Mrs. Johnson continued to work for environmental causes. And that is, perhaps, the most environmentally sensitive city in Texas right now. Today we can all admire her legacy through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

Mrs. Johnson died on July 11, 2007, at the age of 94 at her home in Austin, and was survived by her two daughters, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Johnson family. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor Lady Bird Johnson's incredible life and legacy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Second Chance Act, and I thank Mr. Davis for introducing this important piece of legislation.

In American we have more than 2-million people in prison. Of these, over 600-thousand are released each year.

Very few of these individuals are prepared to return to their communities or receive support services to ease their transition.

These ex-offenders face serious impediments in obtaining employment, and often have serious mental or physical ailments that remain unaddressed.

Today, approximately half of all black men are jobless. Amongst ex- offenders this number is even higher.

There is revolving door of ex-offenders into many of our neighborhoods.

With few opportunities two-thirds of all ex-offenders are arrested for new crimes within a few years of their release.

We must give these individuals the opportunity to become productive citizens.

The Second Chance Act will go a long way towards this goal by providing transitional assistance to ex-offenders reentering their communities.

It will work to reunite families and provide the appropriate training and rehabilitation for these individuals.

This bill will increase public safety and give millions of ex- offenders a chance to be positive productive citizens. I strongly urge my colleagues support.

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chairman, I rise today with an amendment to restore funding for the State grants portion of the Safe Drug and Preschool and Communities program to the fiscal year 2007 level.

These grants are an essential part of drug prevention and funds essential in effective services, including peer resistance and social skills training, parent education, student assistance, and education about emerging drug needs. This program serves 97 percent of our Nation's schools, and it is the only program that provides funding for universal prevention of all of our Nation's school-aged youth.

The success of this program has been documented by numerous States and local agencies. It is extremely effective and has contributed to a 23 percent decline in drug use among youth over the past 5 years. It is important to keep drug prevention as a priority. Historically, when funding for drug prevention is cut, drug use amongst youth surges. This program also provides coordinated school and community-based efforts to target emerging drug trends among community members.

As a result, this program has made significant contributions to reducing methamphetamine and black tar heroin use among school-aged youth in many States throughout the country. Over the past 2 years, in Dallas, Texas, we have had 23 teens die from overdoses of a black tar heroin mixture that is called cheese with Tylenol PM, and we work with DEA and local merchants and all around trying to get some handle on it. But through the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program, local antidrug coalitions have partnered with schools throughout to hold prevention conferences in order to combat this growing epidemic.

They have targeted both students and parents to raise awareness surrounding this issue and have also held town hall meetings for teenagers. I have held one myself.

Without the infrastructure provided by this program, the antidrug coalitions would have little if any access to these students and parents, and the heroin problem would have undoubtedly increased.

This issue of emerging drug trends is not isolated. And while drug use among school-age children has declined, emerging drug trends continue to rise. We've recently seen new drugs aimed at our children, such as the candy-flavored meth and cocaine in many States, including Texas, California, Arkansas, Nevada, and Alabama. Without strong and effective prevention programs, these growing epidemics will have a devastating impact on the educational performance of students nationwide.

As you're aware, drug prevention is critical to ensuring the overall academic success of our youth. Studies have found that lower reading and math scores are linked to peer substance abuse. Our Nation cannot afford to see alcohol and drug use or violence rise above their current levels.

I urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment to restore the funding for the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program to the 2007 level. $46.5 million was reduced, and, Madam Chairman, I do have an offset. The offset for the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program will come from the Reading First program.

The Reading First program has been mired by allegations of financial conflicts of interest and cronyism and is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice. The Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Education have found numerous legal and ethical violations in how Reading First has steered funds toward favored programs. There has been also conflicts of interest in hiring and the promotion of commercial reading materials. This mismanagement has already resulted in the program being cut by more than 60 percent of fiscal year 2008.

Just a few examples of this mismanagement include the Office of Inspector General found that the program administrator had improperly promoted commercial reading programs potentially in violation of Federal law. The Office of Inspector General analyzed hundreds of e- mails and concluded that the Department's program officials failed to maintain a controlled environment that exemplified management integrity and accountability.

They found that the Madison School District in Wisconsin had substantial data.

I move the adoption of this amendment, Madam Chairman.

Let me say to the gentleman who objected, I truly understand his objection on the reading program. However, statistics have shown that if these young people are under the influence of drugs, that's where they fall. And if we could prevent this drug usage, it probably will let some of the ability come through.

I know that it's difficult, but this is a very serious problem, and these cuts will hurt very severely in areas, primarily in school districts where we've had even young people having the ability to sell drugs to another young person. Obviously, it's coming from somewhere else.

But in Dallas, we have not found a single child that has experimented with this ``cheese'' that has survived. And we do have parents involved. We'll have to discontinue this program if we don't have these funds. And I would just plead with you to help find these funds somewhere, if you have a severe objection to it coming from this area.

But I felt that if the area's funding was not being handled correctly, it could be placed in a program that's going very well, that has influenced the decrease of 23 percent drug usage among our youth in the last 5 years. And I have grave concern about allowing this to go on without the assistance that's needed.

As I said earlier, I have worked with the FBI. They're working with merchants to try to get some of the Tylenol PM and the other off the market in these areas. It is a serious undertaking in the area. And all of our law enforcement people are involved.

But our schools cannot continue this without the funding. And that's the reason why I plead for understanding for this funding.

Offered By: Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

Amendment No. 36: Page 77, line 6, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(reduced by $46,500,000)''.

Page 77, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced

by $46,500,000)''.

Page 83, line 14, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $46,500,000)''.

Page 83, line 15, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $46,500,000)''.

Page 83, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $46,500,000)''.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 781) to redesignate Lock and Dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System near Redfield, Arkansas, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act approved July 24, 1946, as the ``Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 781, offered by my colleague, Mr. Ross of Arkansas, to redesignate lock and dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System as the Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam. The bill has the support of the entire Arkansas delegation.

Colonel Maynard made an undeniable contribution to the State of Arkansas through his professional duties and social services. Educated at West Point, he was the district engineer of the Little Rock Engineer District for 3 years, where he oversaw the planning, design and construction of the 13 locks and dams on the McClellan-Kerr. At the time, this was the largest civil works project ever undertaken in the State of Arkansas.

To this day, the locks and dams provide inland waterway transportation for commerce and well-paying jobs for many of the residents of Arkansas. Billions of dollars in goods move through the State's ports each year.

Colonel Maynard was an integral connection between the project and Congress: he provided congressional testimony in support of McClellan- Kerr, and he consistently met the deadlines our body designated for the project.

Because of his work promoting waterborne transportation in Arkansas, Colonel Maynard was appointed by three separate Governors to serve on the Arkansas Waterways Commission. He served on the commission for 21 years.

His civil roles included a variety of leadership positions for charity groups to better our society and for groups such as the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to help promote business in his community.

Although Colonel Maynard passed away October 22, 2005, he remains a symbol of how best to engineer our

civil works projects for the benefit of all. His memory could also be used to call attention to the vital role inland waterways have for our economy, and remind us of the improvements and necessary maintenance projects needed for our commerce on these rivers to thrive.

I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting H.R. 781.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Ross of Arkansas.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 375) honoring United Parcel Service and its 100 years of commitment and leadership in the United States, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 375.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 375, honoring United Parcel Service and its 100 years of commitment and leadership in the United States.

This resolution, as introduced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland), honors the 100th anniversary of the United Parcel Service and recognizes its role in our global transportation system.

Since its founding in 1907 by James E. ``Jim'' Casey and Claude Ryan in Seattle, Washington, with $100 borrowed from a friend, United Parcel Service has grown from a two-person foot and bike messenger service into a worldwide transportation and logistics corporation. Today UPS is the world's largest package delivery company, employing over 427,000 workers, utilizing approximately 92,000 vehicles and operating the world's eighth largest airline. UPS plays an integral role in the movement of goods in the constantly changing global economy, moving over 15 million packages through its network each business day. It is an important spoke in the global transportation wheel, connecting the flow of goods and information in the United States to more than 200 countries.

In 1929, UPS became the first package delivery company to provide air service. In 1975, it became the first package delivery company to serve every address in the continental USA.

UPS's contributions to our Nation go beyond simply transporting goods or providing logistics to our businesses. It has maintained its role as a leader in good business practices, with a commitment to social responsibility and diversity. It has also made a significant dedication to environmental stewardship through the UPS ``Green Fleet,'' which recently passed the 100 million mark. The company also plays an important philanthropic role in the United States and has made sizable contributions to numerous charitable organizations around the world.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 375.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I simply wanted to add that UPS also is very environmentally sensitive and uses natural gas in metropolitan areas.

I would move that we support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.